Job no: 510089
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Institute Applied Life Science
Union: USA/MTA
Categories: Technical, Research

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Sleep Monitoring Core Technician in the Institute for Applied Life Sciences Sleep Monitoring Facility will have the primary responsibility of conducting sleep studies and preparing reports for industry and academic partners. The Technician will also support and advise staff and students in the use of lab equipment; assist in the development and establishment of protocols and standard operating procedures; and assist with other operational aspects in the Sleep Monitoring Core Facility as needed.

Essential Functions

• Conduct sleep studies using PSG, actigraphy, and other novel measures of sleep recording
• Conduct behavioral and physiological studies in human participants
• Ensure proper functioning of equipment and bedrooms as required by study protocols. This includes polysomnography hardware, software, application supplies, cleaning supplies, bed linens, and other equipment acquired for the purpose of sleep studies
• Train research assistants and Core users on proper equipment use and study acquisition to meet study requirements as requested
• Contribute specialized knowledge to the design of sleep studies
• Analyze data (including PSG scoring) and develop reports for industry partners
• Assist in other operational aspects of the Center for Human Health and Performance (CHHP) as needed
• Ensure compliance with University Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) standards
• Stay current with sleep research and suggest new equipment purchases as appropriate
• Respond promptly and appropriately to emergencies or urgent issues as they arise
• Maintain a flexible schedule that allows for availability during normal business hours as well as overnight study acquisition, either as the acquisition tech or as on-call assistant for RAs and other technical support staff (e.g., per diem technicians)

Other Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Experience with physiological recordings in humans in a research or clinical setting
• Two years of experience conducting human subjects research required
• Ability to independently collect and analyze physiological data from humans (in a clinical or research setting)
• Capacity to work independently and troubleshoot technical problems as they arise
• Ability to adapt to a fast paced, result-oriented environment
• Ability to interact and communicate professionally with staff and participants
• Proficiency in one or more programming languages (Python, R, Matlab, etc)
• Proficiency in statistics

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Experience having conducted independent research preferred
• Two years of collecting and scoring PSG independently preferred
• Certified Registered Polysomnography Technician (RPSGT) or equivalent training preferred
• Bachelors degree in related field preferred

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Occasional night hours may be required. Ability to work in a laboratory environment.

Work Schedule

37.5 hours/week, Monday through Friday. Occasional night hours may be required.

Salary Information

USA/MTA Grade 15

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.
Review of applications will begin on 9/23/2021 and may continue until a suitable candidate pool has been identified.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Sep 16 2021 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: